Clematisplant named &#39;TRA73&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Clematis hybrid  named ‘is disclosed, characterized by unique magenta flowers with convex tepals. Flowers occur from the base of the plant to the top. Flowering season is continuous from April until September. The new cultivar is a  Clematis  typically suited for ornamental container and landscape use.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Clematis hybrid

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘TRA73’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the result of a breeding program, with the objectiveto develop new varieties of Clematis with strong growth and interestingflowers for commercial purposes. The new variety was discovered as asingle plant among a group of seedlings of unknown parentage observed bythe inventor, Bernard Travers. The discovery was made during 1999.Discovery was made at a commercial nursery in Orleans, France.

After selecting and isolating the new cultivar, asexual reproduction ofthe new cultivar ‘TRA73’ was first performed at a commercial nursery inSt. Jean Le Blanc by vegetative cuttings during 2002. The inventormaintained the original plant, and observed the clones for severalyears, to establish stability of the characteristics. ‘TRA73’ has sinceproduced multiple generations and has shown that the unique features ofthis cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type. Public access toplant material first occurred during early Spring of 2014. Before thistime, plant material was under the control of the inventor, or thosedirectly authorized by the inventor and no enabling access to plantmaterial occurred. This variety has been applied for Plant Breeder'sRight's Protection in the EU, with CPVO application number 2013/1736. Acopy of the technical questionnaire is included with the mailing of thisapplication. A grant has not yet issued, and technical exam process hasnot been completed. Neither the application, nor any other publicationresulted in an enabling disclosure of ‘TRA73’.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘TRA73’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘TRA73.’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘TRA73’ as a new and distinct Clematis cultivar:

1. Flowers occurring from base to top of plant

2. Many axillary flowers buds

3. Magenta flowers

4. Abundant bright yellow stamens

5. Long flowering season, with new flowers forming from Spring throughSummer

6. Convex aspect of tepals.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Parent varieties are unknown, the breeder is unable to supply records ofthe crossings.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘TRA73’ can be compared to the knowncommercial variety Clematis hybrid ‘Ville de Lyon’ unpatented. TheClematis varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics,however ‘TRA73’ differs from ‘Ville de Lyon’ in the following:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘TRA73’ rebloom from Spring through Summer, whereas        plants of ‘Ville de Lyon’ have a single of flush of flowers.    -   2. ‘TRA73’ has uniquely convex tepals, not found on this        comparator.    -   3. Different tepal shape.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘TRA73’ can be compared to the knowncommercial variety Clematis ‘Ernest Markam’, unpatented. The Clematisvarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics. ‘TRA73’differs from the comparator in the following:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘TRA73’ reach a mature height between 200 and 300        cm, whereas mature plants of this comparator grow to 300-400 cm.    -   2. ‘TRA73’ produces tepals with acute to apiculate aspices,        whereas the apex of tepals of this comparator are        characteristically rounded.    -   3. Tepals of the comparator variety are more overlapping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical flowers and foliage of ‘TRA73’. The photograph was taken usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible byconventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘TRA73’ plants grown outdoors in Saint Cyr enVal, France. The growing temperature ranged from approximately −2° C. to25° C. at night to 8° C. to 33° C. during the day. No artificial light,photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to theplants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typicalflowering types.

-   Botanical classification: Clematis hybrid ‘TRA73’.-   Age of the plant described: Approximately 8 months-   Propagation    -   -   Typical method.—Vegetative cuttings.        -   Time to initiate rooting.—Approximately 20 days at 21° C. or            higher.        -   Time to produce a rooted plantlet.—Approximately 40 days at            20° C. or higher.        -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous.-   Plant:    -   -   Growth habit.—Climbing vine.        -   Height.—Approximately 250 cm.        -   Plant spread.—Approximately 100 cm.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate to rapid. During active growing season            in Spring, approximately 100 cm per month.        -   Branching characteristics.—One main stem.        -   Length of main stem.—Approximately 200 cm.        -   Diameter of main stem.—Approximately 0.2 to 0.5 cm.        -   Main stem color.—Near RHS Greyed-Purple 183A.        -   Main stem texture.—Glabrous.        -   Internode length.—Approximate range 5 cm to 12 cm.        -   Strength.—Strong, flexible, semi-woody.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, mostly compound trifoliate            occasionally single Overall Leaf Length: Approximately 15 cm            long Overall Leaf Diameter: Approximately 9 cm Leaflets:            Average Length: approximately 5.7 cm Average Width:            approximately 3.1 cm Shape of blade: Narrow deltate. Apex:            Acute Base: Cordate to obtuse. Attachment: Stalked, twining            leaf petiole. Margin: Entire Texture of upper surface:            Smooth with distinctly hirsute veins. Texture of lower            surface: Rugose, slightly pubescent toward margin. Color:            Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 143A Young foliage            under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A Mature foliage upper            side: Near RHS Green 137C Mature foliage under side: Near            RHS Green 143B Venation: Type: Pinnate Venation color upper            side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A Venation color under side:            Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A.        -   Petiole.—Length: Range from 1.2 to 2.2 cm Diameter:            Approximately 0.1 to 0.3 cm Texture: Hirsute Color: Near RHS            Green 137C, with Greyed-Purple 183D.-   Flower:    -   -   Bloom period.—Natural Season: Continuous flowering begins            April or May and continues through September.        -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Axillary occurring; 1 to 3            flowers, facing outward.        -   Rate of flower opening.—Approximately 7 days from bud to            fully opened flower.        -   Flower longevity on plant.—Approximately 8 to 12 days, after            fully opened. Self-cleaning.        -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: Average 8.0 to 12.0 cm. Depth:            Average 6.8 cm.        -   Corolla.—Tepal arrangement: Single whorl, slightly            overlapping Quantity: 6 per flower. Shape: Deltoid. Margin:            Very slightly crenate Aspect: Convex. Apex: Apiculate. Base:            Truncate Texture: Smooth, velvety upper and lower surfaces.        -   Color.—Tepals: When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS            Red-Purple 59C Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 59B Fully            opened: Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 64B, some streaks            near Red-Purple 68B. Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 67A            Ageing: Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 67B Lower            surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 67A.        -   Bud.—Shape: Elongated sphere Length: Approximately 15 cm.            Diameter: Approximately 7.6 cm. Color: Near RHS Red-Purple            61A.        -   Pedicels.—Length: Average range 5 to 10 cm. Width:            Approximately 0.4 cm. Angle: Average 45° to 80° Strength:            Flexible. Color: Near RHS Green 137C flushed Greyed-Purple            183D.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: Average 140 per flower. Anther length:            Approximately 0.4 cm Anther color: Near RHS Yellow 10A            Anther shape: Oblong Filament length: Approximately 1.4            Filament color: Near RHS Yellow 4A Pollen quantity: Moderate            Pollen color: Yellow-Orange 18A.        -   Pistil.—Length: Approximately 2.4 cm. Style length:            Approximately 1.1 cm. Stigma: Shape: Fine irregular hairs.            Color: Near RHS Green-White 157B.-   Other characteristics:    -   -   Seeds.—Seed production not observed.        -   Disease/pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor            susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Clematis has            been observed.        -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerates temperatures from            approximately −20° C. to 45° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Clematis hybridplant named ‘TRA73’ as herein illustrated and described.